The same patent claims are being fought in Europe against the likes of Huawei, Samsung, Google, etc. This is not just an Apple vs. the world thing.
These cases are generally known as FRAND cases (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory).
Usually they are about the owner of the IP who doesn't want to grant a license or doesn't want to grant one on FRAND terms.
They have been in talks with apple about these terms and Apple has not agreed to them, hence they went to court.
It concerns (among others) patents subsidiaries of PanOptis bought from companies, like Ericsson for example, about essential technology to be able to use GSM, UMS and LTE in their devices. ie. ALL manufacturers that make use of mobile technology over GSM, UMS or LTE are in breach with these patents. PanOptis are fighting cases all over the world about these infringements, targeting the big players.
PanOptis, or subsidiaries of them, buy these patents with the express intent to sue companies for a ****load of money. This makes them patent trolls.
They do not represent the original inventors. This is their business model; offer the inventors a nice sum of money so PanOptis can sue companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, etc. for millions. This practice is not illegal.
Apple, and every other manufacturer of smart-things, does probably infringe on these patents. That is why they are willing to talk about an agreement.
However, these cases are the result of Apple not agreeing with the proposition made by PanOptis.
Apple should recognise patents more often. They do have a ton of leverage due to their size and wealth, which they sometimes exploit.
But paying shady companies like PanOptis is not the solution. They make money off the backs of the inventors just as much, or maybe even more, than companies like Apple do.